Argo Cheerleaders Work Hard to Make it Look Easy
by Christina Butty
NewsFix.ca
To outsiders the life of Toronto Argonaut Cheerleaders probably seems charmed: pretty girls coasting on their looks, dancing and smiling while they throw T-shirts into crowds at CFL games.
It’s surprising what it takes to make their jobs looks easy. Neither illness or, in one case a subway shutdown 10 days before the big Grey Cup game could keep all 36 women reaching practice, as if all the commuter drama wasn’t happening.
Squad member Gian is under the weather, curled up in a ball but keenly watching adjustments and hearing notes for each of the routines.
A feisty blond named Brigitte (cheerleader surnames are withheld at request of the Toronto Argonauts for safety reasons) leads the squad through portions of their dance routines, barking orders like a drill sergeant with a perfect smile on her pretty face.
The girls shift in and out of routines, eyes front like hot, scantily-dressed soldiers. During pauses, however, they smile and joke easily, betraying few signs of stress.
The transitions need work, their coach says, but the average observer is hard-pressed to find the flaws.
Cheerleaders are carefully selected by management. Each member has to audition each year to keep their place. Last year more than 100 women tried out.
Paola has spent nine years with the Argos, four of them as head coach.
“The girls are specifically chosen for their positive attitude,” she said. “Looks and dance are secondary.”
Jessica, who graduated from journalism school, is articulate, smart, and like many of her colleagues, educated. Several of them have university degrees. Their day jobs range from hairstylist to engineer.
It’s also clear that there’s not one specific “type” of Argonaut Cheerleader from the cultural mosaic within the squad.
“If you’re fit, healthy and can represent the brand well you can be an Argo Cheerleader,” Jessica said. “There is no age limit. We all have different looks and represent every type of girl. All of the little girls out there have someone to look up to.”
In addition to sultry on-field booty-shaking, cheerleaders spend up to 24 hours each week fulfilling off-field obligations.
“We do over 400 personal events each year,” Paola said. “The girls must be personable and represent the brand well.”
Appearances ramp up even more during days leading up to the Grey Cup, when the squad is booked solid.
“There are some nights where we are at events until 2 a.m.,” Paola explains. “But we are up every day at 6 a.m. regardless. It’s so much fun. It’s amazing, our chance to represent Toronto in front of all of Canada.”
Leah, new to the Argos squad, knows the seasonal crunch well from time spent with the Winnipeg Blue Bombers.
“It’s a big chunk of our lives,” she said. “We have to schedule around it. We do tons of promos and volunteer work and attend so many rehearsals and practices.”
Luckily the squad members have each other to lean on for support. Tasha is from Ajax and is experiencing her first year living away from home.
“A lot of girls live in the city, so there is always somebody there,” she said of her colleagues.
Head coach Paola shared a similar sentiment.
“We’re a sisterhood,” she said. “We argue like sisters but we all love each other. It’s an amazing experience and an amazing opportunity.”
After two years on the squad, Tasha has respect for the work ethic of her colleagues.
“I wish people would see the amount of work we put in,” she says. “We don’t just look pretty and shake our pom-poms. We’re all down-to-earth girls.”
